how to check contractors status before hiring - is there a database?

Hi. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to check the legal status of a contractor? Is there a database where you can look up if someone is in the country legally before hiring them for a job?

Not to get into a big debate about this - I know there are feelings both ways. I am a landscape architect and want bids on projects to be fair between bidders - that is, all people who hire people who are in the country legally so they are apple to apple bids - just like we don't like to have union contractors bidding against non union cause the non union will always come in cheaper - it is one contractor who is consistantly much cheaper for labor than some of the others which leaves me wondering how his labor can be so little compared to the other contractors in town.

Meg

check stuff like that out.What I do is put a clause in the contract that calls for a fine of so much money for every person on the job who cant prove legal residency when asked to do so.

I'm not 100%, but I don't think they can get a state license without some kind of identification.

Oregon has a search, look for something like this for your state.

https://ccbed.ccb.state.or.us/ccb_frames/consumer_info/ccb_index.htm

for landscape architects? That might be the place to start. Perhaps hthey have regulations..

Unfortunately, you will probably never really know for sure about the bids you lose..

People surely bid jobs based to some degree on what they will have to pay the actual "diggers and clearers", so if they have under the table or cheapo workers in mind, their labor costs will be lower to start with..

My husband's company comes up against this all the time.. They are a union shop cabinetry company, and there are many companies around here who either farm out their work, or who hire undocumented workers, so their bids are often lower..

It is a consumer ratings service for contractors and other services. Not yet available in all areas, but has sites in most major metro areas. "Legal" status is probably not part of the ratings, though. However, if the contractor is listed and gets good reviews, it might be safe to assume that he's legal.

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Hi. We are in Missouri - I'll have to do some digging on this.

Unfortunately I don't necessarily have the authority to decide not to hire someone, because I am not the owner of our company - though I do have a say on who I send the projects I manage to, but on the other hand I'd like to be able to say to a contractor who complains that he's always losing bids to this guy that so and so is here legally, if he is.

Thanks.

Meg